"This is terrible news," Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl said. "I got to know Steve as a person full of the joys of life and that's how I'll remember him. Our thoughts and sympathies are now with his family."

Gohouri was playing this season for German fourth-tier side TSV Steinbach.

A statement from his club read: "TSV Steinbach football club mourns its player Steve Gohouri. It is this afternoon certain that Steve Gohouri has died at the age of 34 years. This was confirmed by the Dusseldorf Police to TSV Steinbach.

"All managers, players, coaches and assistants at TSV Steinbach are very concerned about the death of Steve Gohouri. Our thoughts in these difficult hours are with his family."